Hey Again!
This week I want to talk to you about an amazing grad student we have here at Marywood. (What?, you say, Marywood has graduate programs in art? Why yes we do!) Her name is Annmarie Holler. I have the immense pleasure of working with Annmarie on the Housing and Resident Life staff here at Marywood. She is the RD of Loughran Hall, where I am an Alternate RA. She is a wonderful example of how art students can take their talents and extend them to other areas all over our campus! Here’s what she had to say about her life as an art student here at Marywood.
Meet Annmarie:
Name: Annmarie Holler
Major: MFA in Painting, Class of 2016
BFA: Class of 2013
I am majoring in Art because I wanted to learn more about it. I wanted to become a more experienced artist. My undergraduate degree was in Art Education with a minor in Art History. Currently I am certified to teach K-12, and having a masters degree in Art will now allow me to teach college level courses.
The kinds of things that inspire me are everything I see. That may sound silly but it’s true. The color of a flower, the shadow of a person, a pattern on a shirt, everything can be interesting. There is so much around us that we take for granted.
My favorite class so far is well… most of my painting classes are independent studies. Each week, at the beginning of class we (me and the other painting graduate students) come together and critique each others’ work. After that, we then go back to our individual studios and continue working. In the MFA graduate program, we have to also take art history courses and electives. My electives have always been in Printmaking. I really feel painting and printmaking can go hand-in-hand. For the past 3 years, I’ve done it all. From linocuts and mono-prints to screen-printing and lithography. I couldn’t tell you which one I like the most because they all have such a unique look to them. My favorite art history was my Art and Architecture: Italian Renaissance class. During spring break, we traveled to Italy to see all the different types of artwork we discussed during class. It was such an amazing experience and something I will never forget.
When I’m not in class I’m either in my studio working while jamming out to the radio or my iPod, or in the Housing and Residence Life Office. I am the Residence Director of Loughran Hall.
The coolest thing I’ve done so far was when myself, as well as two other graduate students, were selected to paint a 7 foot by 10 foot mural for the Lackawanna County Conservation District. It was such an amazing experience. I’ve never worked on such a big project before. Now, the mural is being displayed on their posters and flyers when they travel to different schools and fairs.
When I graduate I am going to take some time for myself. Sounds weird to say, but I’d like to really sit down and think about what the next step is for me. I know I want to teach art classes; whether it is with 1st graders or a Painting I course at a university. I think each grade level is unique.
I’d recommend the Art program at Marywood because art is an incredible field to work in. The department has amazing faculty and gallery resources to learn from.
Some of Annmarie’s Work:
You can find Annmarie’s mural on the Lackawanna County Conservation District’s website under “from our gallery.” Congrats on such an awesome commission to Annmarie and the other MFA Painting Majors! Stay tuned for next week’s talented student!